by igbomb » Tue Sep 09, 2008 01:57 pm
This morning on the way to work, I was involved in a minor car accident. No one was seriously hurt, and the damage caused was very minimal.
Basically, I was sitting at a stop light when the car behind me rear-ended me. Totally her fault, and she admitted as much. The collision then caused me to hit the car in front of me.
The car that hit me had no damage. My car has minor damage, just some marks in my front fascia from the license plate bracket of the car in front of me (body shop estimated the fix to be about $300). And the car I hit has minor damage, some slight denting in the fascia around her license plate, plus the driver said she has a sore back/neck.
So, what is the best way to handle this situation? I live in Michigan, so obviously have no-fault insurance. And we did not file a police report. In fact, the person in front of me, who I happen to work with, called the police after she got to her desk and they told her they wouldn't file a report unless the damage exceeded $1000. At this point, I'm not as concerned with the damage to my car since it is very minor and barely noticeable, but I want to protect myself in case the person in front of me files a claim. Since my car is the one that made contact with her, would her claims go through my insurance? Should I contact my car insurance company, or maybe the company of the person that hit me? If I call my company, can it impact my rates?
Any help is appreciated.
Basically, I was sitting at a stop light when the car behind me rear-ended me. Totally her fault, and she admitted as much. The collision then caused me to hit the car in front of me.
The car that hit me had no damage. My car has minor damage, just some marks in my front fascia from the license plate bracket of the car in front of me (body shop estimated the fix to be about $300). And the car I hit has minor damage, some slight denting in the fascia around her license plate, plus the driver said she has a sore back/neck.
So, what is the best way to handle this situation? I live in Michigan, so obviously have no-fault insurance. And we did not file a police report. In fact, the person in front of me, who I happen to work with, called the police after she got to her desk and they told her they wouldn't file a report unless the damage exceeded $1000. At this point, I'm not as concerned with the damage to my car since it is very minor and barely noticeable, but I want to protect myself in case the person in front of me files a claim. Since my car is the one that made contact with her, would her claims go through my insurance? Should I contact my car insurance company, or maybe the company of the person that hit me? If I call my company, can it impact my rates?
Any help is appreciated.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 02:31 pm Post Subject:
Ah... Michigan. Now I grew up there but they have some whacked out no-fault and PIP laws.
It all depends on what type of insurance the person in front of you took. They have those 3 flavors (broad, limited and something else). But I think no matter what, their damages either need to exceed $200, $300 or $500 in order to seek any property damage recovery (I can't remember the amount exactly). But none the less, their right of recovery would be against the person behind you. The only possible problem is if someone changes their story and has you hitting the person in front of you and _then_ getting hit from behind. I doubt very much that this will happen.
Personally, I'd just sit tight unless someone or an insurance company calls you. You are "obligated" to report all accidents to your carrier but people seldom do this and there is really nothing that they can do if you don't report it right away. So even though it's going against your agreement, I'd not report it unless your informed of something going wrong.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 02:35 pm Post Subject:
Thank you very much!
If I understand it correctly, any medical issues would be handled by the injured person's insurance, correct? Any chance that my insurance company would be approached about medical bills?
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 09:19 pm Post Subject:
So the person that I work with got a quote of $1000 on her repairs and is heading down to the police station to fill out the police report and afterwards will head to the doctor since she is in pain (back and neck). She plans on just putting me as a witness on the police report and calling the instigator's insurance company to make a claim.
As the person in between them and the one who actually made contact with her vehicle, is there anything else I need to do protect myself and prevent my rates from being impacted, or do I just sit back and wait?
Thanks again!
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:39 pm Post Subject:
i agree with the above poster. you shouldnt worry. since the person works with you, just tell them to leave you out of the situation and work with the person who rear ended you.
good luck
system edited-link deleted
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 04:16 am Post Subject:
Well, you might not have a reason to worry, what I've experienced in such cases that the liability for the damages rests upon the instigator and all damages need to get reported to her insurer.
Your colleague is required to inform the at-fault driver's insurer regarding the damages and injuries. And if her medical expenses exceed her PIP policy limit, she might have to pursue the other driver's insurer for the excess amount.
At this juncture I don't see any reason for you to panic. Just sit tight and keep a watch on the developments.
~Jeremy
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 04:49 am Post Subject:
Any chance that my insurance company would be approached about medical bills?
In MI, I'd not rule anything out. I'm not sure where an injured party gets PIP in MI. Could be from anyplace. PIP is pretty much unlimited in MI (lifetime benefits).Add your comment